Data centres

NERC has a network of environmental data centres that provide a focal point for NERC's scientific data and information. These centres hold data from environmental scientists working in the UK and around the world. The data centres are responsible for maintaining environmental data and making them available to all users, not just NERC researchers but others from science, commerce, government and education as well as the general public.

It is essential that data generated through NERC supported activities are properly managed to ensure their long-term availability. The data centres are experts in the collection of scientific information, state-of-the-art data management and preservation techniques, resulting in a high quality and important national asset available to all.

The range of data held within the data centres is vast, covering all aspects of environmental science. Some centres also hold physical specimens and sample materials collected during NERC's activities, as well as material supplied by third parties (sometimes under statute).

These data holdings provide a resource for new research, investigating key environmental challenges such as climate change, supporting Government policy in areas like conservation of endangered species or managing water quality, supporting infrastructure development and commercial enterprise.

In addition, NERC contracts the Archaeology Data Service to manage and make available data arising from NERC funded research in Science Based Archaeology.

The NERC Data Catalogue Service provides an integrated, searchable catalogue of the data holdings of NERC's data centres. It can be used to find information on what data the NERC data centres hold and how to access these data.